The former Green Hill School corrections officer under investigation for sexual misconduct has officially been charged with felony crimes.
Amy M. Karns, 53, of Winlock, faces three counts of second-degree custodial misconduct, all Class C felonies punishable by up to five years in prison.
Karns made an out-of-custody preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday after posting a $25,000 bond following her arrest.
During the hearing, Deputy Prosecutor Brandi Archer asked the court to maintain the previously posted bail and issue a pretrial no-contact order on behalf of the victim. Archer also asked that Karns be prohibited from contacting Green Hill School as part of her conditions of release.
According to Archer, one of the witnesses in the case is Karns’ significant other. Archer asked that Karns and that witness not be allowed to discuss the case.
Commissioner Cailen Cecil noted that the allegations presented a risk to community safety and agreed with the state’s requests. She added that the only way Karns could contact Green Hill School was if the contact was at the administration’s request.
In a Monday news release, the Chehalis Police Department said it was first notified of the possible sexual misconduct on March 12, a day after a Green Hill staff member reported the incident to Child Protective Services (CPS).
The probable cause affidavit filed by the Lewis County Prosecutor's Office indicates that CPS sent the initial referral to the police department.
On March 14, police investigators learned the juvenile detention facility possessed video evidence that allegedly shows Karns “engaging in inappropriate contact with a 20-year-old male inmate at the facility,” according to the release.
The department said it received “video evidence from Green Hill School further documenting the inappropriate contact” on March 20, around the same time the Washington state Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) issued its press release regarding the investigation.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Chehalis police also received incident reports from Green Hill staff, as well as a “screen shot text message between Karns and a co-worker.”
The affidavit alleges that the information details two separate incidents on Feb. 28 and one incident on March 7. Video evidence allegedly shows Karns and the victim “standing in the doorway of the cleaning closet” while apparently “engaged in a lengthy kiss.”
According to the affidavit, Karns admitted to two individuals employed at Green Hill School that she had kissed the victim three times.
In its news release, DCYF said the former employee had been removed from their position following an internal investigation.
Green Hill staff reportedly began the investigation after receiving a tip on March 11.
According to the release, the employee was “immediately assigned to other duties.” DCYF stated the individual was no longer a DCYF employee as of March 13.
"The safety of young people in our care is our highest obligation and we remain committed to maintaining a culture at Green Hill focused on rehabilitation and no tolerance for misconduct," said Harold Wright Jr., superintendent of Green Hill School, following the alleged incidents.
On March 21, police arrested Karns and booked her into the Lewis County Jail for three counts of second-degree custodial sexual misconduct.
On Monday, Chehalis police said the case remained under investigation.
“In 2025, the Chehalis Police Department conducted 117 investigations related to Green Hill School, requiring nearly 300 hours of investigative time,” the department said in its release.
Karns has retained Michael Stewart as her defense attorney.
She is scheduled for an arraignment on Thursday, March 26.
